England were sent crashing out of the Champions Trophy with one group-stage match to spare by Afghanistan, who secured a dramatic eight-run win behind Ibrahim Zadran's record-breaking knock of 177.

After Group B rivals Australia and South Africa saw their scheduled meeting on Tuesday washed out, both teams knew a loss would leave them unable to reach the semi-finals.

Just four days after Ben Duckett set a new Champions Trophy record with his score of 165 against Australia, Zadran bettered that feat with a remarkable 177 off 146 deliveries, leaving England chasing a daunting target of 326.

Afghanistan had earlier been left rocking by Jofra Archer's devastating opening burst, as he removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (six), Sediqullah Atal (four) and Rahmat Shah (four) to drop them to 37-3.

But Zadran shared a 103-run partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi for Afghanistan's fourth wicket, and, after Adil Rashid dismissed Shahidi for 40, Azmatullah Omarzai (41) and Mohammad Nabi (40) supported him with invaluable cameos.

England were ragged in the field and saw Mark Wood struggle with a knee injury as Zadran continued to pile up runs, with his best shot of the day being an on-drive for six off Archer's delivery in the 48th over.

177 - @IZadran18's 177 vs England today is now the highest individual score in #ChampionsTrophy history; it is also the highest-ever knock by an @ACBofficials batter in men's ODIs. Colossal.#AFGvENG pic.twitter.com/7R5wX9OfIs

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 26, 2025

Archer would pounce for the catch that ended Zadran's historic innings, but in the face of some effective Afghanistan bowling, England struggled to make early headway with the bat – their first six not arriving until the final ball of the 30th over via captain Jos Buttler.

It was Joe Root's (120)  first ODI ton in almost six years that gave England hope, but they were up against it when he gloved Omarzai's ball to Gurbaz in the 46th over.

Defiant batting from Jamie Overton (32) and Archer (14) ensured a tense finish, but both were caught in the deep to leave England relying on Rashid and the injured Wood.

With Wood barely able to run, Rashid had to go big as England required eight runs off the final two balls to force a Super Over. However, Zadran was the Afghanistan hero again, catching him at long on to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

Afghanistan take an absolute nail-biter to stay alive in the #ChampionsTrophy 2025 #AFGvENG : https://t.co/6IQekpiozs pic.twitter.com/b3PUb6jfZo

— ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2025

Data Debrief: Zadran makes history

If Buttler's innings against Australia last week was special, Zadran's display on Wednesday was something else.

No Afghanistan player had previously scored a century at the Champions Trophy, but he smashed 177 off 146 balls faced, including 12 fours and six maximums.

As well as posting the highest score in Champions Trophy history, Zadran also recorded the best knock by an Afghanistan player in any men's ODI.

It meant Root's first century in the format since June 2019 – when he was unbeaten on 100 in a victory over West Indies in Southampton – counted for nought.

England have now lost six straight ODIs and will exit the Champions Trophy at the group stage for just the third time ever, and the first since 2006.